Summer Catch-Up

 Since the power can't be an excuse anymore, and the heat is keeping us inside, I thought I'd play some catch-up. Here are a few things we've been doing this summer. Not necessarily in order....

I took the kids to the Botanic Garden and let them loose with a camera and sketchbooks.  Now we have to get around to letting them do a blog entry with their photos.

 At the beginning of July we were in Iowa City for Jazz Fest. It was extra special this year because so many people were in town to enjoy it.

 There was also a new food booth with these hand-dipped ice cream bars. Amazing.

 We all gathered together for an awesome and loud display of fireworks.

 We had breakfast in Amana.

 Before leaving Iowa we spent a little bit of time with Adelaide, before she became a big sister.

 (Amber has since had her baby...another beautiful girl.)

 From Iowa City we drove up to Minneapolis for one night with Will and Sandy and then from there we went on to Hayward where we were welcomed by this little snake.

 We did lots of fishing.

 Clara spent lots of time communing with worms.

 Henry was trying to figure out what Franklin heard in the water.

 On the way back home we made our usual stop in Osseo at the Norske Nook. Clara and I shared this amazing piece of "moose pie".

 Oops....out of order. Henry caught a huge walleye off the dock. He's still telling people about it.

 

Before the heat got so crazy hot we spent some time playing in the pool in the backyard. We might need to graduate to a larger pool soon.

 

And, finally, we've had a couple of nights at Ravinia this summer. This picture was taken last weekend when the CSO was playing Brahms. Put Henry OUT on the blanket, and then they both fell asleep in the car on the way home.

 

That about brings us up to this week. Mostly we've just been trying to handle the heat this week...going to the pool early in the morning or late at night, grilling instead of turning on the stove, spending time at the library....

Right now we're waiting for Pete to get home so we can go to the pool!